presented by their friend Lord Minto, the British
ambassador; and Lady Hamilton, by Lady Minto. On the day after Lord
Nelson's arrival, the party having intended to quit Vienna almost
immediately, and none of them understanding the German language, Mr.
Oliver, an English linguist residing in that city, was engaged by his
lordship, to act as confidential secretary and interpreter, and
accompany them to England; this gentleman having been long known to Sir
William Hamilton, who had many years before recommended him to be
employed, occasionally, by the King of Naples, in procuring carriages,
horses, curious animals, and various other articles of pleasure and
amusement, from London. The very flattering attentions universally paid
to Lord Nelson and his friends, added to the slow recovery of Sir
William from the consequences of his recent indisposition, and the
unwillingness which they all felt to accelerate their affecting
separation from the good queen, detained them in the fascinations of
this charming city six weeks. So attractive was our hero, wherever he
went, that his presence drew all the best company thither: and the
proprietors of the several theatres, alarmed at his lordship's confining
himself, for a few nights, to one of them in particular, protested all
the rest were deserted; and that they should be entirely ruined, unless
he kindly condescended to visit them by turns, which he accordingly
promised, and faithfully performed. The journey, which had proved too
fatiguing for his friend, Sir William Hamilton, seems to have nearly
restored our hero to perfect health; who, on his first arrival at
Leghorn, had been so extremely indisposed, as to be four days out of
seven confined to his bed. In truth, besides the salutary changes of
air, in the different climates thus rapidly passed, from the excessive
enervating heats and sultry breezes of Italy, to the corroborating cool
temperature of the Austrian refreshing gales; his lordship's ever active
mind felt now not only delivered from the thraldom of a controuled and
perplexed command, but was invigorated by the boundless admiration he
beheld, at each stage of his progress, and through every varying country
which he travelled, affectionately and respectfully tendered to it's
indubitable and transcendent worth: even the barriers, like our
turnpikes, were all thrown open on his approach, and the whole company,
sanctioned by the hero's presence, permitted gratuitously to pas